Two brothers – one passion. Carmine and Vinny Appice belong to the icons of rock and metal. Both drummers have a long history in music with Carmine being part of e.g. Ozzy Osbourne while his brother Vinny played with Dio, Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell.

With the exception of one live album the two guys have never worked on a common longplayer, a fact that changes this year. The Appice brothers recorded with “Sinister” their first studio album, of course playing drums on each of the 13 tunes, plus adding a surprise too to the package. Carmine is singing on “You Got Me Running”.

In addition the two dinosaurs in rock invited a long list of friends and musicians to support them in this endeavour. Here comes already the tracklist and the artwork. The moment when “Sinister” will hit the shelves will be on October 27^th and it’s Steamhammer/SPV releasing the album.

Tracklist:

1. Sinister
2. Monsters and Heroes
3. Killung Floor
4. Danger
5. Drum Wars
6. Riot
7. Suddenly
8. In the Night
9. Future Past
10. You Got Me Running
11. Bros in Drums
12. War Cry
13. Sabbath Mash

Line-Up and Guests:

Carmine Appice (drums & vocals)

Vinny Appice (drums)

Jim Crean (vocals)

Paul Shortino (vocals) (Rough Cutt, Ex-Quiet Riot)

Robin McAuley (vocals) (MSG)

Chas West (vocals) (Ex-Lynch Mob)

Scotty Bruce (vocals)

 Craig Goldy (guitar) (Ex-Dio, Ex-Giuffria)

Bumblefoot (guitar) (Ex-Guns N' Roses)

Joel Hoekstra (guitar) (Whitesnake)

Mike Sweda (guitar) (Bulletboys)

Erik Turner (guitar) (Warrant)

David Michael Phillips (guitar) (King Kobra)

 Tony Franklin (bass) (Ex-Blue Murder, Ex-The Firm)

Phil Soussan (bass) (Ex-Ozzy Osbourne)

Johnny Rod (bass) (King Kobra, Ex-WASP)

Jorgen Carlson (bass) (Gov't Mule)

 Erik Norlander (keyboards) (Lana Lane)

(8/10) The density of Dutch female-fronted metal bands is quite impressive and what is even more formidable is the quality level of each of these bands. One of the spearheads of symphonic Dutch metal is Epica, a band that’s around already since 2002. As the other bands too also Epica found their own niche in melodic metal by combining symphonic elements and beautiful vocals with some harsh riffs and growl. This might not be a very unique feature but Epica definitely belongs to the Champions League in this genre, releasing great longplayers since more than one decade.

Epica’s latest album, “The Holographic Principle”, has been released one year ago and now they are back with a new EP, entitled “The Solace System”. The record features six songs, all being a result of the “The Holographic Principle” session. The creative output for the latest full-length longplayer was so big that Epica could have easily create a double CD, but instead of doing it the decision was taken to release this EP.

Each of the songs that ended up on this record was worth to be recorded with this EP giving them the attention and framework they deserve. It would have been sinful thing to ‘just’ use them as bonus tracks.

The title track is the first song you get to hear and it’s a majestic one. Epica create an excellent listener experience by crunchy riffs, brilliant vocals and a cinematic expression before “Fight Your Demon” shifts gears by being faster and heavier than the opener. To show the entire width of sounds I also want to mention “Immortal Melancholy” since differs a lot from the rest. The song is the brainchild of guitarist Mark Jansen and producer Joost van den Broek. During the recording session the guys came up with the idea of creating a guitar-based ballad – and here it is. “Immortal Melancholy” is mainly built on two pillars. There is the gently swinging acoustic guitar that’s accompanied by the beautiful voice of Simone Simons. Just having this song on the EP justifies the investment from band ansd fans.

“The Solace System” feels like what it also is – a natural prolongation of the highly successful “The Holographic Principle” album. It’s a very well-done EP that will be appreciated by Epica fans as well as by folks with a passion for excellently done melodic metal music.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. The Solace System
2. Fight Your Demons
3. Architect of Light
4. Wheel of Destiny
5. Immortal Melancholy
6. Decoded Poetry

Label: Nuclear Blast

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Release Date EU: September 1^st, 2017

Mastodon have been intensively on the road recently but also found some time to do a new 4-track EP. “Cold Dark Place will be released on September 22^nd, followed by a 10” limited picture disc edition on October 27^th.

Three of the four songs are coming from the “Once More ‘Round the Sun” session while “Toe Goes Toes” has been recorded on March this year as a part of the “Emperor of Sand” production.

Tracklist:

1. North Side Star

2. Blue Walsh

3. Toe to Toes

4. Cold Dark place

Cyhra, a new band featuring former Amaranthe singer Jake E. and ex-In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad, have revealed details of their forthcoming debut album, ‘Letters To Myself’.

Due for release on October 20th 2017, ‘Letters To Myself’ features plenty of the magic that each member of the band has become known for over the years. From the blissfully melodic thrust of Jesper Strömblad’s riffs and hooks, and the soaring, soulful splendour of Jake E.’s unmistakable voice to the pummelling, groove-driven precision of Peter Iwers, and Alex Landenburg’s rhythmic bedrock, every last moment crackles with the excitement of fresh territory, new challenges and a brand new identity for all involved to embrace.

 Tracklist:

1.  Karma
2.  Heartrage
3.  Here To Save You
4.  Muted Life
5.  Closure
6.  Letter To Myself
7.  Dark Clarity
8.  Holding Your Breath
9.  Rescue Ride
10.  Black Wings
11.  Inside A Lullaby
12.  Dead To Me

(9/10) Black metal can be more than uninspired blastbeats, hoarsely screams and panda bear make-up. German extreme metal band Der Weg Einer Freiheit shows this in an impressive way, not only with their previous releases, but also, and even more, with the newest longplayer “Finisterre”.

Der Weg Einer Freiheit is the brainchild of Nikita Kamprad and Tobias Jaschinsky, the latter leaving the band in 2012. Since then it is Kamprad who pushes things forward. “Finisterre” is the fourth album the band releases and it’s the most mature to date.

In total it’s five songs that made it on this impressive release. What feels, based on the amount of songs, more like an EP is a full-length record with 45 running time. As with the previous releases also the newest output focusses on epical songs with a length of 5 to 13 minutes. This demands a bigger amount of variation and thrill that needs to be weaved into these masterpieces - and it is. The band manages this challenge very well, combining a lot of musical finesse with a dark and wistful vibe that includes many different nuances.

The album begins in a narrative fashion. Some spoken words, reflecting on the depep of human beings, introduces the listener to a first gloomy and fast back metal anthem. No doubt, Der Weg Der Freiheit makes use of blastbeats, but they add a certain portion of melody to the mix, which makes them comparable with Swedish black metal. This isn’t new, but Kamprad and Co. fine-tune things on the new album with evolving the progressive elements in their music. What also keeps the level of suspense high are the various intros for some of the songs as well as breaks that are coming back regularly. Especially the extremely long tunes like “Ein letzter Tanz” and "Finisterre" are excellent representatives for this. In these tracks the band combines harsh Scandinavian black metal, complexity and an poetic approach, giving black metal a slightly different dimension.

Last but not least I have to mention the superb production, done by the bandleader himself, while it was Philipp Welsing who signed being responsible for the mastering. The result is an intense sound experience that emphasizes the emotional depth that’s included in each of the five songs. The coldness and wistfulness comes across very well and also the complexity gets enough attention by a nuanced mix.

“Finisterre” is the bands best album up till now. It’s a poignantly one that catches your mind, body and soul. Check out if you’re ready for it.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

1. Aufbruch
2. Ein letzter Tanz
3. Skepsis Part I
4. Skepsis Part II
5. Finisterre

Label: Season Of Mist

Genre: Black Metal

Release Date EU: August 25^th, 2017

(9/10) In the beginning of the new century traditional metal had a kind of comeback. Young and hungry metal bands re-vitalized a sound known from the 80's. Swedish powerhouse Portrait belonged to this group of band, releasing a first countable result of their effort in 2007 when the 7-inch "Into the Nothingness" saw the light of day. This was the starting point of an exciting vita of a band that builds all their work on a lot of passion. Everybody within Portrait shares the same picture when it comes to metal, constantly pushing things forward.

The rookies from 2006 became in the meantime an old acquaintance in metal. Three longplayers have been published up to today and here comes the forth metal attack from Skane. "Burn the World" is the baleful title of a longplayer that features nine songs. Actually I have to correct myself, since the longplayer comes with an intro entitled "Saturn Return" as well as it includes an acoustic interlude which listens to the name of "Further She Rode". These two short numbers are the moment to take a recovery break from the furious and breath-taking metal tracks that are build are them.

Portrait recorded songs that are belonging to the best ones I've heard this year in the fields of traditional metal. A tight performing rhythm-section acts like a working horse, constantly providing an impactful beat which is the platform for the twin guitars to shine. On top of that there are the vocals done by Per Lengstedt who is a real metal siren. His high-pitch way of singing fits perfect to songs like the epical "Martyrs". In more than seven minutes, Portrait presents the entire width of their sound. From raging metal attacks to calmer sections the song includes everything you could ask for as a metalhead. Another song of this kind is the closer "Pure of Heart". These eight minutes are a delight for everybody that's interested in traditional metal. Starting acoustic and peaceful the tune evolves to a merciless metal anthem that keeps the level of suspense sky-high, from beginning to end. Next to these longer anthems there are the more spot-on ones like "To Die For" which is with four minutes the shortest track on the album.

To sum up: "Burn the World" became an excellent album. It showcases a band that grew over time. Portrait managed to keep the unbound spirit of the earlier days while lifting their ambitions to a next level. This album captures an underground spirit and can lead to severe neck problems due to intensive headbanging.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

1. Saturn Return
2. Burn the World
3. Likfassna
4. Flaming Blood
5. Mine to Reap
6. Martyrs
7. Further She Rode
8. To Die For
9. Pure of Heart

Label: Metal Blade

Genre: Heavy Metal

Release Date EU: August 25th, 2017

(10/10) Wow. I can’t say much more than that when it comes to the newest Paradise Lost disc. Following the band over the last decades partly felt like a rollercoaster. Rooted in the early British death metal, the band included more and more gothic elements to their music and released with “Host” the most controversially discussed longplayer in the entire career which also marked a turning point.

“Paradise Lost”, released in 2005, showed already some elements of the earlier days of the band, a progression that's ongoing till the here and now. Discs like “Tragic Idol” and the latest release, “The Plague Within”, became excellent metal records, showcasing a band that gets back to the basic roots of their music and sound. Listening to the newest longplayer, “Medusa”, feels like each of these records has been a step towards this metal masterpiece. “Medusa” feels like the album that many fans expected in the beginning of the 90’s as a successor of the “Shades of God” album. Listening to "Medusa" is a throwback into a time when songs like “As I Die” gained momentum.

The start into “Medusa” is slow and intense. “Fearless Sky” is a slo-mo track that comes very close to funeral doom. It features the typical Paradise Lost guitar sound with mighty riffs and a huge intensity. Next to this it’s the fact of Nick Holmes growling again, that emphasizes the heaviness of the opener – and the entire album. The clean vocals, that are still partly embedded, feel more like an add-on rather than the base on this record. The next song, “Gods of the Ancient” doesn’t change the described basic pattern but comes with exciting twists and breaks which makes it to another highlight on the album. With “From the Gallows” the band shifts gears. Things get a bit faster with this three minutes smasher that could have been easily a part of the mentioned “Shades of Gods” album.

Rain and the screech of the raven kickstarts “The Longest Winter”. The music reflects the title in a perfect fashion. Dark and gloomy the tune spreads a foggy and cold atmosphere that also shows the fascination of darkness.

With more than six minutes it’s the title track that’s next in the order. In contradiction the most of the other songs the vocals are kept clean. Still it includes a wistful vibe that’s created by slowly roaring riffs and a heavy pounding beat. This song is jaw-dropping good and deserves being the name-giver for the album. Immense riffs is what you also  get with “No Passage for the Dead” before the uptempo “Blood and Chaos” brings back the “Icon”-spirit. The same does the closer “Until the Grave”. Greg Mackintosh clearly shows why he's the master of Paradise Lost, also providing awesome leads that are, together with Holmes' raspy vocals, key characteristics for this closer that rounds off an exciting metal record.

To sum up: Expectations have been high when it comes to “Medusa” and after having heard the eight songs I must say that these expectations have been exceeded. This longplayer showcases Paradise Lost at another peak. It seems that the entire journey up till now had just one aim: writing, producing and releasing this masterpiece. Can’t wait to hear the songs live.

(10/10)

Tracklist:

1. Fearless Sky
2. Gods of Ancient
3. From the Gallows
4. The Longest Winter
5. Medusa
6. No Passage for the Dead
7. Blood and Chaos
8. Until the Grave

Label: Nuclear Blast

Genre: Death Metal

Release Date EU: September 1^st, 2017

(8/10) One of the most exciting newcomers over the last couple of years have been Swedish Dead Lord. The band from Stockholm, with Smaland roots, appeared on the scene in 2012 when Hakim Krim and Adam Lindmark moved to the Swedish capitol to start a new chapter in rock'n'roll. They guys found with Olle Hedenström and Tobias Lindkvist two partners in crime and Dead Lord was born.

Since then the quartet released two longplayers, both receiving very positive feedback from fans and media. The band grew together while being on road quite regularly, opening for bands like Wolf and Danko Jones, something that benefits the third strike of the rock outfit.

"In Ignorance we Trust" is the anticipated new album, being published by Century Media. It showcases a band that grew over time and stands as a rock. Things start off pretty relaxed with a short intro, leading to a pumping bassline. "Ignorance" is the opener and it's a cool classic rock songs that brings you into the right mood for the album.

In general Dead Lord didn't change a lot on the new album. It's more that they improved their classic rock sound that comes with a solid portion of Thin Lizzy. The uptempo songs like "They!" reflect this in a good fashion, standing for the powerful approach of Dead Lord.

What got a bit more into the forefront are the calmer moments. "Leave Me Be" is such a tune and also "Part of Me" comes with a softer but intense approach. These tracks are gently swinging with the latter including quite some melancholy.

Dead Lord continues with "In Ignorance We Trust" a passionate journey through the world of classic rock and metal. The ones that liked the first two albums will be thrilled with this one too since it fully meets expectation. Not more, but also not less.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Ignorance
2. Too Late
3. Reruns
4. Leave Me Behind
5. The Glitch
6. Kill Them All
7. Never Die
8. Part of Me
9. They!
10. Darker Times

Label: Century Media

Genre: Classic Metal

Release Date EU: August 25^th, 2017

(8/10) For no specific reason German metal outfit Die Apokalyotischen Reiter wasn't more than a dot on my metal radar. For one or another way I never went into depth when it comes to their records and their sound. Having heard in the meantime their newest longplayer "Der rote Reiter" a few times will change things.

The band, with a constantly growing fan base, is mainly known in Germany but also starts to gain some more international reputation. The quintet started back in the 90's when metal was overrun by grunge and nu metal. More traditional metal moved towards the back which gave many bands a hard time. But it also allowed them to renew and gain new strength. This is the context in which Die Apokalyptischen Reiter started their adventurous journey.

Up to date the band published five records of which the latest one "Tief. Tiefer" entered the German charts, almost getting into the Top 20. But also the previous albums have been pretty successful with a boost in 2008 when the guys released their "Licht" record via Nuclear Blast, a prolific cooperation that's still ongoing.

The newest strike of the Weimar-based band is entitled "Der rote Reiter" and features thirteen new songs, combining several genres to a great entirety.

Things start furious with "Wir sind zurueck" which is a fast-paced statement of the band's return and the album ends with the dramatic half-acoustic "Ich Werd Bleiben". Everything in between is sometimes closer to the death metal roots ("Folgt uns") and sometimes connected to the Neue Deutsche Haerte ("Der rote Reiter" and "Hoert mich an"), but in the end Die Apokalyptischen Reiter merge all these genres to a unique sound that can be defined as 'crossover', since next to the mentioned roots there are also calmer sections, folk-elements and more.

As being used to of Nuclear Blast releases also "Der rote Reiter" comes with an splendid sound, done by two producers - Alexander Dietz and Eike Freese. What rounds off this very exciting package is the artwork that fits in a good fashion to the music of Die Apokalyptischen Reiter. As with earlier releases it was done by frontman Fuchs and is based on one his wooden reliefs.

To sum up: "Der rote Reiter" is an album that should help the band to take a next step. Even though the lyrics are kept in German this band comes enough potential to go outside Germany for convincing metal fans all over the place. I can recommend to listen to this album. Thumbs up.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Wir Sind Zurück
2. Der Rote Reiter
3. Auf Und Nieder
4. Folgt Uns
5. Hört Mich An
6. The Great Experience Of Ectasy
7. Franz Weiss
8. Die Freiheit Ist Eine Pflicht
9. Herz In Flammen
10. Brüder Auf Leben Und Tod
11. Ich Bin Weg
12. Ich Nehm Dir Deine Welt
13. Ich Werd Bleiben

Label: Nuclear Blast

Genre: Crossover

Release Date EU: August 25th, 2017

(6/10) "Don't give a fuck about your feature in that magazine", that's one line in Eskimo Callboy's title track "The Scene", showing a band that seems to be fueled with self-confidence. It is great that the guys know what they want, making their journey. 

The band from Castrop-Rauxel began in 2010 with a first EP. The debut followed in 2012 with two more longplayers that guaranteed a growing fan base, leading to top 10 entries in their home country Germany. The uniqueness of Eskimo Callboy's sound is the fact that they integrated Electro and Techno elements into their metalcore-based sound. The band called it trancecore and became the spearhead of a new genre.

"The Scene" is the band newest album and the first thing that's remarkable is that it gets out of the box a few weeks after the final delivery of most recent German "Bachlorette" season which was 'won' by the band's drummer. Even though it was communicated as a private thing it was amazing how often the band's name was mentioned during the season and how good the target groups match. Looks like a pretty good marketing idea and win-win situation.

However, let's focus on the music. Eskimo Callboy fine-tunes their trancecore sound and opens it to a bigger target group. Clean vocals get more to the forefront and songs like "The Devil Within" are definitely digestible for mainstream fans too. Also the short interlude "X" brings some more calmer tones to the scene before "The New Age" takes over, combining melody and harsh riffing. What comes next is "Frances" which also makes Eskimo Callboy attractive for the mainstream audience, not taking things to an extreme. 

However, there are the metalcore songs too with the wild growls and shouts. The mentioned title track is such an angry songs and also "Rooftop" combines hooks with shouts.

"The Scene" is a logical continuation of the bands achievements to date. They shifted themselves a bit towards mainstream and I guess that some "Bachelorette" fans find their way into the band's sound and music. Anyhow, I can't get rid of the feeling that things are a bit too much dressed for success, but as long as fans love what their idols are doing the decided direction proves them right.

(6/10)

Tracklist:

1. Back in the Bizz
2. MC Thunder
3. The Devil Within
4. Banshee
5. The Scene (feat. Fronz)
6. VIP
7. Shallows
8. Nightlife (feat. Little Big)
9. X
10. New Age
11. Frances
12. Rooftop
13. Calling

Label: Century Media

Genre: Trancecore

Release Date EU: August 25th, 2017

(8/10) There is a longer tradition of German punk rock bands that cover a wider spectrum of this kind of music. One of the spearheads of German punk rock are definitely Die Toten Hosen. Next to these icons there were the fun punk bands of the late eighties like Die Mimmies and Die Abstuerzenden Brieftauben, while there have been and still are band that take things with a more serious and critical approach when it comes to lyrics and message. Hamburg’s Slime is one representative of these bands.

Another German band playing ‘Deutschpunk’ are Dritte Wahl. The guys from Rostock founded the band in the late 80’s and they are still present. Actually they are more present than ever before, considering their latest album “Geblitzdingst” entering the longplayer-charts. It almost seems like Dritte Wahl (German for ‘Third Choice’) becomes first choice.

The band can look back on quite some releases over the last years. In total nine albums saw the light of day to date and the next one is right in the starting blocks. What would be a better name for this longplayer than “10”, representing the bands tenth musical studio achievement.

Dritte Wahl will most probably continue their success streak with this new output. “10” features songs, addressing the current political and social deficiencies (“Was willst du tun”), conspiracists (“Wenn ihr wuesstet”) and also take things with a twinkle in the eye, like “Scotty” which is also the first single release. This is an example for quartet not writing songs with an accusing approach. It’s more that they reflect on things from their personal point of view, translating this into relevant songs and texts. But not all of the songs has such a focus. The new record also includes with "Runde um Runde" a song with a charming dockland bar vibe, a kind of tribute to their hometown. These lyrics are embedded in a musical framework that’s rocking, edgy and melodic. Dritte Wahl finds again the right balance between these components which makes the album to an interesting one for a wider target group.

The band’s tenth longplayer is an honest one. Gunnar and band mates obviously had fun while writing the songs since, besides the serious lyrics, everything includes an ease and a good flow. “10” is a well-executed album with relevant songs, strengthened by an excellent sound. Rostock rocks!

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Scotty
2. Der Feind des Guten
3. Der Himmel ueber uns
4. Zum Licht empor
5. Wenn ihr wuesstet
6. So lange her
7. Was wirst du tun
8. Runde um Runde
9. 25 Cent
10. Vor dem Aufprall
11. Schade

Label: Dritte Wahl Records

Genre: Punk Rock

Release Date EU: September 1, 2017

(8/10) Following a three years interval for releasing new albums means that fans can expect the band's ninth longplayer this year- and here it is. Recorded at Parlour Studio in the UK, with Russ Russell at the helm, "Strength of Numbers" became a brutal thrash record dissected into 10 chapters. 

The quintet from Gothenburg, Sweden started back in 1996, arising from At The Gates in which the Björler brothers as well as Adrian Erlandsson have been / still are part of. The self-titled debut came out in 1998 and immediately created excitement among metal heads all over the place. Not denying their background the guys released a merciless thrash metal record with some Scandinavian death metal influences, all leading to the band becoming one of the best newcomers that year. Since then The Haunted released some more longplayer of which none was a downer. Even though the five-piece changed some nuances, they never compromised on something and also the new longplayer reflects this very well.

"Strength of Numbers" is a real blast, from the first note played to the last tone on this this album. Actually things start calm and acoustic with an intro named "Fill the Darkness With Black". It feels like the calm before the storm, which is triggered off by "Brute Force". This merciless riff attack belongs to the most powerful thrash songs this year and acts as a perfect opener. After getting out of the gates in such an excellent fashion, The Haunted  adds to the positive experience with the spot-on "Spark", a song that comes with some well-placed acoustic break which increase the level of suspense. In total, "Strength of Numbers" has a wider approach, stretching the frames of thrash metal without moving away from the roots.

The mighty Slayer have been mentioned more than once in conjunction with The Haunted and also this record includes some tracks with Slayer references. "Means to an End" and "Strength of Numbers" belongs to this category, still containing enough own identity to not be seen as copies of Araya and Co.. Next to these fast-paced anthems the five-piece band also puts a foot on the break. "This is the End" is the title of a number that's kept slower than most of the other songs. However, it belongs to most intensive tracks on the album and includes an enormous punch.

"Strength of Numbers" states the strength of thrash metal the Gothenburg way. This longplayer became a brilliant one, underlining the bands position in metal. Horns up.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Fill the Darkness With Black
2. Brute Force
3. Spark
4. Preachers of Death
5. Strength of Numbers
6. Tighten the Noose
7. This is the End
8. The Fall
9. Means to an End
10. Monument

Label: Century Media

Genre: Thrash Metal

Release Date EU: August 25th, 2017

(8/10) Markus’ Heavy Music Blog follows The New Roses' journey through rock almost from their beginning. It was back in 2013 when the band’s debut was dropped into my postbox and what I got to hear was pretty impressive. The first longplayer, which followed an EP from 2012, was a rebellious rock album, representing the passion and dedication of a new band that didn’t face any limitations. It was the album and an enormous amount of live shows that led to a deal with Napalm Records, the Austrian label that released the band’s sophomore record “Dead Man’s Voice”. The disc was a next step for the guys from Wiesbaden, Germany. It was an enabler for reaching more rock music enthusiasts and also allowed the guys to tour through Europe. Also some bigger festivals have been on the list, all adding to a tightness the band stands for these days.

The New Roses used the momentum and worked on the successor of “Dead Man’s Voice”. The work’s finished and the new album left the pressing plant. The title of this important album is “One More for the Road”, reflecting the band's passion for live activities. As it was with the earlier two longplayers also this one is filled with pure rock’n’roll that never gets too simple or planned. The joy with this album is the ease that comes with it. It looks like the band didn’t feel too much pressure while working on “One More for the Road”. The five-piece could again capture the spirit of freedom that was such a crucial ingredient of the first records. The guys developed their sound by still getting a good vibe into each of the tunes.

The New Roses songs include all the features you expect from this kind of music. With “Fight You Leaving Me” the longplayer includes a calm and soulful ballad, while other tunes act as sonic power plants. “Forever Never Comes” is such a songs and also “Do I Lokk Scared to You” isa  better energizer than any espresso could be. Some real anthems, like the first single release “Life Ain’t Easy (For a Boy With Long Hair)”, round off an exciting rock record.

If you think, that Bon Jovi released their last good album in 1986 and if Cinderella belongs to your most favorite bands, you should check out this longplayer. You will not be disappointed.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Quarter to Twelve
2. My Own Worst Enemy
3. Forever Never Comes
4. Dancing on a Razor Blade
5. Consider Me Gone
6. Life Ain’t Easy (For a Bo With Long Hair)
7. Every Wild Heart
8. Fighting You Leaving Me
9. The Same Moon
10. Piece by Piece of Mind
11. One More for the Road
12. Do I look scared to You (bonus)
13. The Storm (Bonus)
14. Nitro Nights (Bonus)

Label: Napalm Records

Genre: Hardrock

Release Date EU: August 25^th, 2017